Julie Warren appointed to lead Innovation Council at Receivables Finance Connect

Julie Warren brings a strong track record of delivering innovation in specialist B2B finance sectors, from launching and marketing single invoice and embedded asset finance solutions to establishing and building landmark strategic partnerships with major corporates.

Julie said: “I love the receivables finance industry; it’s where I spent a huge amount of my career before moving to asset finance at Propel, and with my role at Hydr, I am right back in it. Leading the Innovation Council gives me the opportunity to work alongside the industry’s key players to help spark fresh thinking and design smarter, more relevant solutions that respond to what the current and next generation of customers need. It’s about advancing the industry and sharing current and future advancements. Ultimately, that means making sure we leave a lasting mark on a sector that has real potential for innovation.”

Making the market

The Advisory Board’s opening priority is establishing the true size of the addressable market for receivables finance – not where the sector stands today, but the full range of businesses it could be serving.

Julie believes that there are ideas beyond the confines of the current marketplace that will enable the industry to move forward: “The sector has spent too long competing within its own boundaries and with a very narrow product set, i.e. invoice finance, when the real opportunity sits far beyond this. The marketplace and the scale of the opportunity are far bigger than the current perceptions of the receivables finance sector might suggest. As an industry, we shouldn’t be content to simply try and take the market. We have to make the market. At the same time, we need to offer customers solutions they can understand and use easily, with pricing that is both fair and transparent.”

It all starts with the customer

Julie’s approach to innovation always starts with diagnosis – gaining a clear understanding of what customers want and need before suggesting a solution. The goal, as she puts it, is to “settle on solutions, not settle for them”: “We shouldn’t just start with what we offer now and tinker around the edges. We need to look at what the customer needs far more holistically. How do customers want to interact with lenders? How can we build solutions that deliver what the customer really wants, how they want it, and when they want it – while also giving the lender greater protection and flexibility. And all without having to spend £20 million or £30 million to get there?”

What the Council will deliver

Working closely alongside the Technology Council in particular, the Innovation Council’s remit is to move from questions to delivery. Its immediate priorities include identifying the top three innovation opportunities and producing workstreams with measurable outputs.

Julie is clear-eyed about what the formation of the new Council represents: “The receivables market is ripe for innovation. Always set your sights beyond what the room thinks is possible. Even if you don’t get all the way there, you’ll end up so much further than if you’d never tried.”

Mike Symes, Community Leader at Receivables Finance Connect, said: “Julie’s track record, her insight into where the sector is heading, and her understanding of what the industry needs make her exactly the right person to lead the Innovation Council. No innovation ever happened without concerted resolve and determination. Having a ‘can-do’ attitude isn’t enough – what matters is a ‘will-do’ one.”

Get involved

The Innovation Council will shortly be recruiting senior participants from across the receivables finance sector. To express an interest in participating, contact Mike Symes at mikesymes@finance-connect.com or Edward Peck at edwardpeck@finance-connect.com.

Save the date

Receivables Finance Connect is part of the Finance Connect Conference, taking place on Thursday 4 June 2026. The conference brings together more than 850 senior leaders from across financial services, with dedicated content, networking, and working sessions for lenders, intermediaries, and specialists across asset and receivables finance.

About Receivables Finance Connect

Receivables Finance Connect is a professional community for the receivables finance and asset-based lending sector. Its mission is to connect senior practitioners and enable meaningful engagement, providing a marketplace of ideas to encourage innovation, support sustainable growth, and better serve customers.